For what did God choose me?
“Many are called, but few are chosen.” – Matthew 22:14
Matthew 22:14 follows Jesus’s parable of a king who throws a banquet but is stood up by those he invites (22:2-13). He then instructs his servants to invite everyone they find, and they filled the wedding hall.
Many prominent people were invited but refused to come. They were not elected. Others never deserved an invitation but received one and came gladly. They were elected.
According to the parable, election includes God’s invitation and our acceptance. God determines the time, place, and parameters of the party. We choose whether to accept the invitation.
While this topic especially is too complex to cover in one minute, some truths can quickly be gleamed.
Everyone is invited. See John 3:16, 2 Peter 3:9, and Ezekiel 18:32.
Not everyone gets the same invitation. God is all inclusive, but he is not egalitarian. In the parable, the king started with guests then opened his invitation to everyone. In the Bible, God starts with Abraham, Jesus focused on the Jews, then sent the disciples to the ends of the earth.
You must respond to the invitation. Clearly the chief weight of responsibility is God’s. But his invitation is not complete without our response (Luke 13:24; Hebrews 10:22, 4:16, 7:25, 11:6; Joshua 24:15).
God knows who will respond. Foreknowledge means “knowing beforehand.” Predestine means “to determine beforehand,” or “to set boundaries.” God determines the boundaries of salvation. He sees who will respond and who will not. His call is to all; his election is for those he sees will step into his predetermined boundaries of salvation (Romans 8:29-30).
God ordains individuals to a task, not a destiny. Not everyone gets the same invitation, but all are invited. Not everyone gets the same call, but all are called. God has a practical purpose for your life.
There’s something right here, right now that only you can do for God’s honor. Discover that, and you’ll find your voice, your passion, and your purpose.
